Aloha Kakou,This was a sidebar in my article "How to prepare for financial aid fairs, Hapai Pu style". I just thought it would be easier to read if I devoted a whole blog to it. As a Hawaiian college student who has successfully applied for & received scholarships, grants, & tuitions waivers I felt it was important to share the tips I learned (and verified by Aunty Ku'umealoha) with other Hawaiian students.It's ALWAYS important to know your source of information, so here are mine:The information for the sidebar of my article came from an afternoon sit down interview in February 2006 with Aunty Ku'umealoha Gomes at the Kua'ana Office.My contact info for UH Manoa's Financial Aid Services comes from p.57 of the University of Hawai'i 2008-2009 Catalog. My contact for UH Manoa's Office of Student Equity, Excellence, & Diversity comes from p.49 of the catalog.Some Contact Info:Financial Aid ServicesQueen Lili'uokalani Center for Student Services 1122600 Campus RoadHonolulu, HI 96822Tel: (808) 956-7251Fax: (808) 956-3985E-mail: finaid@hawaii.eduWeb: www.hawaii.edu/fasOffice of Student Equity, Excellence, & DiversityQueen Lili'uokalani Center for Student Services 4132600 Campus RoadHonolulu, HI 96822Tel: (808) 956-4642Fax: (808) 956-9240E-mail: seed@hawaii.eduWeb: www.hawaii.edu/diversityMahalo Nui,kEAHI^^)Written By: Keahi Lee, KaLeo ReporterIssue Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2007.Section: FeaturesLink to online article: Unavailable; during the time when this article was printed, KaLeo.org was not up & running, so my article was printed on paper, but never made available online. It's too bad because besides being useful information for all Hawaiian students interested in funding their higher education, the UH Manoa Board of Publications also honored me with a 2006-2007 Excellence In Journalism Award for my reporting in this article (that's another reason for you to have faith in my article's accuracy ^*)Tips On Applying for Scholarships from Ku’umealoha Gomes, director of Kua’ana Student SevicesBe Prepared:-Fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA’s are available at the student financial aide office at the Queen Liliu’okalani Center for Student Services.-Prepare a personal financial statement-Calculate your expenses for the semester or year. This should include your costs for tuition, books, student fees, housing expenses, medical insurance, food, transportation, entertainment and clothing.-Factor in your salary/wage if you are working part or full-time.-List what resources you’re applying to receive or have received, such as scholarships, grants or other aid. Doing this will show that you’re serious about finding funding for your education and will allow financial aid and scholarship people to see how their scholarship(s) will benefit you.-Prepare a personal statement or essay about yourself. This should be an introduction of who you are, where you’re from, your family background, and your educational goals-what it is you hope to accomplish and why. Another important thing to include is how you plan to give back to the community.-Prepare a resume’. Include sports activities or clubs you’re in, awards or accolades you’ve won and community service you’ve done.-Get a copy of your transcript. Grades are often time, a way of interpreting your commitment to your education.-Get letter of recommendation from a teacher, a mentor or a coach. This will give the scholarship officials an idea of who you are and your commitment to your education and other endeavors.
Aloha no e Keahi,
Yes, I do remember you, very well and was happy to see a na opio wahine who is interested in what we are doing. We need our young folks to join us. We need new blood....kanaka maoli blood to stand with us!
I am honored that you consider me as one that you look up to. I just do what I can, whenever I can and how ever i can to try to make right the wrongs and the injustices to our na po`e. I rely on Ke Akua be my guide, as well as my na aumakua and na Tupuna. I pray a lot for guidance in all that I do.
Please feel free to write or call me anytime. I want to do all I can to strengthen, educate and encourage our young adults to stand up and speak up for our people and nation,
Comments
Yes, I do remember you, very well and was happy to see a na opio wahine who is interested in what we are doing. We need our young folks to join us. We need new blood....kanaka maoli blood to stand with us!
I am honored that you consider me as one that you look up to. I just do what I can, whenever I can and how ever i can to try to make right the wrongs and the injustices to our na po`e. I rely on Ke Akua be my guide, as well as my na aumakua and na Tupuna. I pray a lot for guidance in all that I do.
Please feel free to write or call me anytime. I want to do all I can to strengthen, educate and encourage our young adults to stand up and speak up for our people and nation,
Lvu,
Auntie Nani